Modernization of Armenian nuclear power plant to raise its safety
20.04.2016,
15:41
The planned modernization of the operating unit of Armenia's nuclear power plant will significantly improve the facility's safety, deputy energy and natural resources minister Areg Galstyan said today when speaking at the second meeting of the steering committee set up to handle the extension of the service life of the plant.
YEREVAN, April 20. /ARKA/. The planned modernization of the operating unit of Armenia's nuclear power plant will significantly improve the facility's safety, deputy energy and natural resources minister Areg Galstyan said today when speaking at the second meeting of the steering committee set up to handle the extension of the service life of the plant. The gathering was held in Yerevan on Wednesday.
Galstyan said after reactivating the unit in 1995 large-scale work has been done to improve its safety. According to him, the Fukushima tragedy prompted a new safety study, and a list of safety improvement measures was drawn up which are being carried out now.
"The level of safety of the Armenian nuclear power plant is in a satisfactory condition now, however, the planned modernization will significantly improve its design and operational capabilities," Galstyan said.
The Armenian Nuclear Power Plant is located some 30 kilometers west of Yerevan. It was built in the 1970s but was closed following a devastating earthquake in 1988. One of its two VVER 440-V230 light-water reactors was reactivated in 1995.
Armenian authorities said they will build a new nuclear power plant to replace the aging facility. The new plant is supposed to operate at twice the capacity of the Soviet-constructed facility. The plant currently generates some 35 percent of Armenia's electricity.
In March 2014, Armenian government decided to extend the plant’s service life because of delay in building a new unit. The service life extension has become possible thanks to Russia’s financial resources. The country will provide $270 million to Armenia as loan and $30 million in grants. --0----
Galstyan said after reactivating the unit in 1995 large-scale work has been done to improve its safety. According to him, the Fukushima tragedy prompted a new safety study, and a list of safety improvement measures was drawn up which are being carried out now.
"The level of safety of the Armenian nuclear power plant is in a satisfactory condition now, however, the planned modernization will significantly improve its design and operational capabilities," Galstyan said.
The Armenian Nuclear Power Plant is located some 30 kilometers west of Yerevan. It was built in the 1970s but was closed following a devastating earthquake in 1988. One of its two VVER 440-V230 light-water reactors was reactivated in 1995.
Armenian authorities said they will build a new nuclear power plant to replace the aging facility. The new plant is supposed to operate at twice the capacity of the Soviet-constructed facility. The plant currently generates some 35 percent of Armenia's electricity.
In March 2014, Armenian government decided to extend the plant’s service life because of delay in building a new unit. The service life extension has become possible thanks to Russia’s financial resources. The country will provide $270 million to Armenia as loan and $30 million in grants. --0----
